The Sunday Mail
Chris Gayle was named in the West Indies’ squad for the 2019 World Cup qualifying tournament, but other leading players ruled themselves out in order to play in the Pakistan T20 Super League.
All-rounders Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell, spinner Sunil Narine and batsman Darren Bravo have all decided to miss the qualifiers in Zimbabwe, which will run from March 4-25. “We are pleased that Chris Gayle and (batsman) Marlon Samuels have indicated their full support and commitment to the cause,” chairman of selectors Courtney Browne said in a statement.
“Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Darren Bravo and Andre Russell however indicated that they were unavailable to help us qualify as their priority was playing in the Pakistan Super League.” The two-time World Cup winners have struggled to field their strongest side in recent years after a bitter dispute between Cricket West Indies and various players.
Russell, 29, has not played for the Caribbean outfit since 2016 after being given a one-year doping ban, with the fast bowler set to return to cricket later this month. He played the last of his 51 one-day internationals in November 2015, but was a key member of the side that beat England in the 2016 World Twenty20 final. Pollard returned to the Windies fold last September against England, while Darren Bravo, who has played 49 Tests, 94 ODIs and 12 T20Is, hasn’t played any international cricket since November 2016.-Sport 24
